The Politico’s Jonathan Martin reports that Iowa Republicans are considering scheduling another debate after Christmas largely because of how badly Wednesday’s debate was run:
DES MOINES — Dissatisfied with the debate here Wednesday that drew widespread scorn, Iowa Republicans will discuss on Friday the possibility of holding another forum before the January 3rd caucuses.
The debate this week, sponsored by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Public Television, was to have been the final gathering of the GOP contenders, but one well-placed Iowa Republican said tonight that they were interested in getting the candidates back together
“We’d prefer if the Register debate did not leave a bad taste,” said this source, who requested anonymity. “Iowa deserves a little better than that.”
The source probably has a point, but there’s a problem. The Iowa Caucuses are scheduled for two days after New Years Day, and a debate scheduled between Christmas and New Years is unlikely to draw much of an audience. I know I won’t be watching.
